New Ventures, Inc. was a non-profit organization founded in 1977 for the purpose of providing counseling and training to women experiencing changes in family, career and lifestyle. The organization specialized in providing support to former homemakers entering or re-entering the work force. The Records of New Ventures, Inc. date from 1978-1992. The collection consists of newsletters, programs, correspondence, clippings, photographs, and other documents generated by the organization. These items cover subjects such as leadership of the organization, funding (including grants), meeting minutes and agendas, publicity for the organization, and programs that New Ventures offered.

Important Information for Users of the Collection

Restrictions:

Some materials are restricted. Please see box inventory for more information.

Preferred citation:

New Ventures, Inc. Collection, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.

Historical Note

New Ventures, Inc. was a non-profit organization founded by Bowie, Maryland women in 1977 for the purpose of providing counseling and training to women experiencing changes in family, career and lifestyle. The organization specialized in providing support to former homemakers entering or re-entering the work force. The organization served the Bowie, Hyattsville, Fort Washington and Riverdale, Maryland (Prince George's County) areas from the time of its founding through the 1980s and early 1990s out of its main office in Bowie. The organization was run by a volunteer Board of Directors and included a small paid staff and many volunteers. The original Board of Directors were: Pat Pease, Penny Scott, and Angela Miotto, three professional counselors; Joan Schmidt, an administrator; Kathy Montgomery, an attorney; and Idaclare Kerwin, a financial officer. In 1986 the organization created a fund in honor of Nancy Melago, a volunteer who passed away from a chronic illness. The fund paid counseling fees for those unable to afford the organization's counseling services.

New Ventures, Inc. was advertised in the Washington Post in 1981 and 1991 as a place to go if re-entering the workforce after being a homemaker. According to the advertisements, New Ventures, Inc. "teaches women who have lost their major source of income through separation, divorce, death or disability of their spouse(offers) career/job search workshops, stress management, assertiveness training, discussion groups and individual/group counseling." (Washington Post, August 6, 1991) To support its work, the group held fundraisers in addition to applying for grants from the Prince George's County budget. New Ventures, Inc. ceased to be a nonprofit organization and became a private enterprise circa 1992.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Records of New Ventures, Inc. date from 1978-1992. The collection consists of newsletters, programs, correspondence, clippings, photographs, and other documents generated by the organization. These items cover subjects such as leadership of the organization, funding (including grants), meeting minutes and agendas, publicity for the organization, and programs that New Ventures offered.

Custodial History and Acquisition Information

Angela B. Miotto donated the New Ventures, Inc. archives to the University of Maryland Historical Manuscripts Collection in October 2010. An addition to the collection was donated by Miotto in August 2013.

Processing Information

Processed by:

This collection was processed by Allison C. Heinbaugh in March 2011. Materials in Box 2 were added by Amanda K. Hawk in August 2013.

Processing note:

An initial inventory was created for the collection at the time of accession. Unlabeled folders were given titles at this time. During processing in March 2011, each folder was replaced with an acid-free folder. Some folder titles were expanded to include more descriptive information. Newsprint was photocopied for preservation purposes. Folders were arranged in a single series, and restricted material was screened and placed in separate folders. A finding aid was then written for the collection.

Detailed Description of the Collection

This series consists of documents generated by New Ventures, Inc. in the course of conducting its affairs. The series includes newsletters, programs, correspondence, clippings, meeting minutes, photographs, and other documents generated by the organization. Much of the material concerns funding for the organization. There is also material on the Board of Directors and the internal workings of the organization. The series is arranged alphabetically by topic.

Description

Series

Box / Reel

Folder / Frame

[Articles of Incorporation], 1978

series 1

box 1

folder 1

[Board of Directors and Staff Lists], 1981-1986

series 1

box 1

folder 2

Board of Directors Official Resignation Letters, 1986-1992

series 1

box 1

folder 3

[Board of Directors Requirements and Invitations], 1978-1986 and undated

Related Material

Helen L. Koss Papers

For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.

Selected Search Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.